Eastern Asia: Southeastern Russia and northeastern China

The extensive meadows in the middle sections of the Amur are the result of long-term river fluctuations on the extensive alluvial deposits in the Amur valley. Flooding and a high water table appear to inhibit forest development. Remaining ice free during the Pleistocene, flora and fauna of the Amur meadow steppe strongly influenced post-glaciation development of flora and fauna of eastern Russia. The relatively flat land and fertile soil of the river floodplains often creates conflicts between agricultural and conservation needs.

Scientific Code

(PA0901)

Ecoregion Category

Palearctic

Size

47,600 square miles

Status

Vulnerable

Habitats

Description

Location and General Description

Biodiversity Features

Current Status

Types and Severity of Threats

Justification of Ecoregion DelineationIn Russia, the mapped ecoregion boundaries correspond to the forest steppe in the Amur-Manchurian vegetation province in Kurnaev’s (1990) forest map of the USSR. In addition, the ecoregion includes Isachenko’s (1988) subtaiga deciduous forest and floodplain along the Amur River. It does not, however, include Lake Khanka and environs, as the lake attracts its own unique assemblage of avian species. Within China, the boundaries correspond to swamp woodlands and grasslands in the Heilongjiang Province (classes 69 and 70) of the CVMCC Vegetation Map of China (1979).